Foot power bath appliance



March 3, 1936. c. E. BROWN 2,033,023

FOOT POWER BATH APPLIANCE Filed June 20, 1935 Patented .Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an appliance operable by a foot of the bather, to produce a shower, especially when bathing in a washtub, thus avoiding the necessity of the bather unnecessarily twisting and distorting the body during the act of bathing.

It is particularly aimed to provide a construction also which leaves both hands free for the application of soap, rubbing, and massaging.

m It is further aimed to provide such a construction which utilizes an element operable by the foot which may also serve as a hot water bag or fountain syringe, when hose pipe and nozzle are added, and to which a pipe is attachable by means of a two-way valve connection and which in turn leads to a spray ring disposed about the neck of the bather and if necessary, counterweighted to remain in effective position.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.-

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the device in use;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the spray ring;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the valved connection employed,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a sectional detail on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, In designates a conventional washtub such as is still used in many homes not equipped with more modern bathing apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means whereby a shower may be produced over the bather by foot power. g

Resting on the bottom of the tub I0 is a water receptacle ll of collapsible rubber construction, preferably having its upper and lower walls harder or reinforced over the side walls. At-

tached to the screw-threaded rings I2 at the entrance of said bag or receptable II a pipe connection I! is detachably screw-threaded at I3. Such pipe connection at one end I4 is adapted for commimication with the interior of the tub ID to receive water 'therethrough, being adapted to be closed at times by a ball valve l5 engageable against a removable annular seat or ring I6, to prevent the escape of water. The

opening movement of valve i5 is limited by a pin H, and I! designates spaced horizontal rods or pins to support valve IS in position to engage in the opening in ring 5.

Said pipe l2 has an outlet nipple la in which 5 a ball valve 19 is disposed, engageable against a seat at 20, and held against opening displacement by a pin 2!.

A flexible rubber or other tubing M is dilated at one end and removably applied over the nipple l8. At the other end, such tube 2! is dilated and applied over a nipple 22, which is hollow and of T-shape, the remaining branches 23 thereof, removably receiving the free ends of a soft rubber spray ring 24. Such ring 24, at the 15 inner portion thereof as at 25 has various spray orifices. Such ring 24 also may be counterweighted as at 26, if desired, so that it will better remain in operative position.

In the operation of the device, the bag H ex- 20 pands as water rushes into the same within the tub In, past the valve IS. The foot engaging the bag is alternately lowered and raised, to receive and expel water from the bag. When the water is received, the valve It! remains closed while the 5 valve I5 is opened. When the foot is depressed to expel the water, the valve l5 automatically closes while the valve l9 automatically opens, enabling the water to gradually rise through the pipe 2|, into the ring 24 and escape through the 30 orifices 25 to produce a spray.

In manufacturing the device, the valve l5 and end M are preferably much larger than the valve I9 and seat 20 to facilitate the intake of the water, and the capacity of the spray ring 24 is relatively 35 great with respect to the supp y of water so that there will be a continuous spray through the orifices 25, although at less pressure, even during the collapse of the bag II, between pumping movements. 7 40 Particular attention is called to the fact that the bag ll may be or serve as a hot water bag,

and also as a fountain syringe, in the latter instance with the addition of the necessary hose and nozzle. Such bag ll therefore is adapted 45 to three difierent uses, namely as a shower bath device, according to the invention, and also as a hot water bag and fountain syringe as pointed out.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the in- 50 vention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shower bath appliance, a tubular member provided with a threaded extremity to engage aninternally threaded nozzle on a collapsible bag, 6,5

oppositely opening valves in said tubulan member for ingress and egress of water into and from the bag, the valve controlling egress of the water being contained in a nipple on said tubular member adapted to be connected to a shower bath spray.

2. A shower bath device of the class described comprising a collapsible bag having an inlet provided with internal screw-threads, a pipe having screw-threads detachably ensasi s the first mentioned screw-threads, oppositely opening valves in said pipe to permit water to enter said bag and to be expelled through toot pressure on the bag, and a spray device connected to the pipe.

3. A shower bath device of the class described comprising a collapsible bag having an inlet provided with internal screw-threads, a pipe having screw-threads detachably engaging the first mentioned screw-threads, oppositely opening valves in said pipe to permit water to enter said bag and to be expelled through foot pressure on the bag, said pipe being open at both ends with one of said valves located adjacent one end thereof, a nipple on said pipe containing the other valve, and a lo spray device connected to the nipple.

CARL E. BROWN. 

